Carpesium abrotanoides

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Carpesium abrotanoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from September to November, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Woods all over Japan. Waste places and grassy fields in lowlands, also along forest edges.

S. Europe to E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Himalayas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Leaves - cooked. A sweet flavour, though they smell of foxes.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The whole plant is alterative, antiscorbutic, astringent, depurative discutient, emetic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative and vulnerary. A decoction is used in the treatment of bronchitis, tonsillitis, boils and ulcers and snakebites. The stem juice is used to treat insect bites. This juice is also a very effective remedy for sore throat. A decoction of the fruit is vermifuge. The seed is antiphlogistic, diuretic, laxative, pectoral and vermifuge. The seeds are used to expel round worms, tapeworms and pin worms. A 20% concentrate of seed decoction cured 69% of children with worms and effected an improvement in another 19%. The root is diuretic and vermifuge.

Alterative: Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.

Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.

Antiscorbutic: A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Pectoral: Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.

Stings: Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.

Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.

Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.

Other

Rating:

The seed has insecticidal properties. Another report says that the plant might have insecticidal properties.

Insecticide: Kills insects.

How it is grown

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. thunbergianum. Sieb.&Zucc.